NHL notes: Annoyed Kings Quick reacts to gaffe

Goaltender Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings reacts after misplaying the puck and allowing a goal in the third period of their NHL game against the New York Rangers at Staples Center on October 7, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (AFP)

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QMI Agency

Oct 8, 2013

, Last Updated: 8:29 PM ET

In a post-game scrum with the media following the early-season favourite for NHL blooper of the year, Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick tried his best to avoid discussion surrounding the fluky goal.

Quick fumbled a short-handed clearing attempt off the stick of New York Rangers blueliner Ryan McDonagh early in the third period on Monday. The puck made its way into L.A.'s net.

"You guys are writing a story on that one goal?" asked Quick, trying to downplay the own goal.

"My stick fell out of my hand. I tried to stop it with my blocker and it hit my blocker."

Quick's Los Angeles Kings lost its home opener 3-1, with McDonagh's goal putting the game on ice.

Asked what his thought process was in the moments leading up to when the puck deflected off his blocker and towards the yawning cage, Quick said, "You’re trying to stop the puck for your teammates – that’s the thought process."

The 2012 Conn Smythe winner isn't the first netminder to allow a laughable goal, and certainly won't be the last.

“Everybody gives up bad goals, that’s part of the game," he said.

'DIDN'T GET THE JOB DONE'

Claude Giroux is taking the Philadelphia Flyers decision to fire its coach, Peter Laviolette, in stride.

"We're the ones on the ice, we're the ones doing the job," Giroux told reporters Tuesday. "Obviously we didn't get the job done."

Added forward Scott Hartnell: "A lot of the onus is on us players. We didn't have a great start, pre-season was bad. Our scorers haven't been scoring. Unfortunately, someone has to take the fall."

The Flyers, who missed the playoffs last year, dropped the first three games of the regular season in the lead up to Laviolette's Monday departure. It was one of the quickest firings in NHL history.

In the wake of Peter Laviolette's abrupt firing Monday, Florida Panthers general manager Dale Tallon admitted he is discussing a contract extension with coach Kevin Dineen.

Tallon said he is having "ongoing discussions" with Dineen about a contract extension.

The Panthers finished dead last in 2012-13's lockout-shortened campaign, mustering up 36 points in 48 games. With the Panthers ravaged by injuries, Tallon chalks last year up as a mulligan for Dineen.

"He made the playoffs in his first year as a coach. Last year you can't judge his coaching on what happened. It wasn't a coaching issue," Tallon told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

In the final year of a three-year deal, Dineen's contract is due for renewal at season's end.

BRIEFLY

The Washington Capitals have called up Michael Latta from their AHL affiliate in Hershey. Latta, a 22-year-old centre, replaces Jack Hillen on Washington's roster. Hillen has been placed on long-term injury reserve with a leg ailment ... Former Edmonton Oilers goalie Mathieu Garon has signed a one-year deal with Avangard Omsk of the KHL, according to multiple reports ... New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck, currently on injured reserve due to a deep leg cut, should be back in the team's lineup soon. Clutterbuck began participating in contact drills in practice Monday, but there is no firm timeline set for his return ... Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Kris Letang, currently sidelined by a lower-body injury, skated Tuesday. It was his third day taking to the ice by himself, however, there is no firm timetable set for his return to the lineup ... Buffalo Sabres defenceman Henrik Tallinder has been placed on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.